Charles k



UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES K.

PICIUIES, OF ST. LOUIS, MSSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO 1V. B. KNIGHT & CO., OF SAME PLACE.

EXERCISING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 51 1,251, dated IDecember 19, 1893.

Application liledll'ovemher 17, 1892. Serial No. 452.336. (No model.)

To (all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES K. Plonnns, of-the city ot St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a certain neW and useful Improvement in Exercising Apparatuses, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification. g

My invention relates to that class of apparatus, known as home gymnasiums or exercisers, in which a spring or springs givethe desired resistance; and my invention consists in features of novelty hereinafter fully [5 described and pointed out in the claims.

Figure l illustrates a side elevation of my invention, the springs of the apparatus be?V ing shown in section. Fig. Il is a front elevation. 2o of the cordconnections between the lower pulley block and the lower spring. Fig. 1V is a detail elevation, showing the light spring attached to the upper pulley block instead ot the lower one, the operating cord being in 2 5 terposed between the springs, and showing also a slack cord provided with buttons for optional connection with the spring attachment for the purpose of varying the limit of extension of the spring. Fig. V is a ineditication in which, instead of a coiled wire spring, a rubber spring is used.r Fig. VI is a modilication, showing Weights of different resistance that may take the place of the springs.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the upper, and 2 the .lowerV pulley block around which passes the operating cord 3, Whose confined end 4c is" connected to the block 1 by a hook 5 or otherwise.

6 is a cross piece, on the tree end Voi" the operating cord 8, through which passes the hand-rope 7, provided with handles 8. The upper pulley 1 is supported by a hook 9 secured in the Wall or door frame, window frame, or other suitable support.

pulley block 2 is provided 'with a hook 10, receiving one end of the light spring 11, While to the lower endof aspring l1 is connected a heavier spring 12. The spring 12 is cou- 5o pled to a hook, or other fastening7 13, inserted in the floor or in the foot-hoard near the'tloor.

Fig. I-ll is an enlarged, detail viewr The lovverv 14 is a cord, one end ol' which is made fast to the block 2, and whose end is attached to the upper end of the spring 12, this cord 14 being noimallyslack,as showninFigI. The construction is such that when the handle ropes are drawn forward the lower pulley block 2 is caused to move upward first expanding the light spring l1, thereby giving opportunity to exercise with a light spring, 6o if desired, While should heavier exercise he wished, by stepping farther from the apparatus, the slack in the cord 11i is drawn out, the spring 1l is cut out from further expansion, and the heavy spring l.- expands.

Iu the modification l have shown in Fig.

1V, the heavy spring 12 is designed to be 'connected directly to the pulley block 2,

While the lighter spring 1l is shown connected by one end to the hook 5 of the pulley block 7o l, and at its other end to the end d of the cord 3. A slack cord l5 is here provided, connected at one end to the rope 3, and such slack cord is provided with suitable buttons lt'gtliat hold the cord and prevent it, when 75 the slack is drawn out, from slipping through the hook 5, through which it is passed. The operation is the same in this modified form as in the preferred form, for the light spring is expanded before the heavy spring begins 8o to expand, the heavy spring not expanding until the slack in the cord 15 is drawn out, when the light spring is cut out and further expansion-1in it is prevented.

By the use of pulley blocks I am enabled to obtain a slight movement of the one pulley toward the other With a greatly increased movement of the hand cords, thereby obtaining the desired movement in the handles with a slight expansion of the spring or 9o springs. l have shown each pulley block with two sheaves, but itis evident that more than this number can be used t0 advantage, it desired, the number of sheaves regulating the relative expansion of the springs with relation to the movement of the hand ropes.

If desired, either one of the springs may be removed and the remaining spring connected directly to the pulley block and the detaining hook when but the one degree of resistance roo will be afforded.

An apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention combines the features of light and heavy resistance, making it appli* cable, when the light spring alone is used, for use by Women or children, While when the light spring is cut out, increased resistance is afforded by the heavier spring, suitable for the exercise of men.

I claim as my invention- 1. In an exercising apparatus, the comici-y nation of two pulley blocks, an operating cord held at one end, passing around bot-h blocks, hand cords secured to the free end ot` the operating cord, and springs of diierent degrees of resistance brought successively into action by the strain of the operating cord, substantially as described.

2. In an exercising apparatus, the co1nbination of an operating cord, a light and heavy spring arranged to be operated by said cord, and a slack cord arranged between said springs; substantially as and for the purpose 

